Fuller ball



P. MUELLER.

FULLER BALL.

APPLICATION man HOV.12, 1919.

-latented Nov. 23, 1920.v

wi/tmeooeb I UNITED STATES ,PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP MUELLER, 0F DECATUR, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ADOLF MUELLER, TRUSTEE,

OF DECATUR, ILLINOIS.

FULLER BALL.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 23, 1920.

Application filed November 12, 1919. Serial No. 337,454.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, PHILIP MUELLER, a citizen of the United States, residin at Decatur, in the county of Macon and tate of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fuller Balls, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to and has particular reference to Fuller balls to be used in connection therewith.

The main objects of this invention are to prolong'the life of the elastic valve body, and, generally, to increase the efliciency of the Fuller ball. The elastic valve body is provided with means which prevents excessive swelling or expansion thereof, and the construction of the ball is such that it will retain its initial elasticity and normal form, permanent deformation of the ball is pre vented, and breaking down of the valve body, under the strains and deteriorating influences to which it, is subjected, is guarded against.

More particularly my invention residesin a Fuller ball comprising an elastic valve body having longitudinally disposed recesses or'grooves in its walls, and a ferrule for encircling the valve' body. I

The above and other objects of my invention are obtained in the structure described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a longitudinal view, partly, in section, of a faucet or cook to which my improved Fuller ball is applied.

Fig. 2 is a side elvational view of the elastic valve body shown in position upon the stem. 7

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of my improved Fuller ball taken on line 3-3, Fig. 2.

Referring to the "drawings, like numerals representing like parts inthe several views, 10 designates the body portion of a cook. The cock maybe of any suitable construction, and I do not wish to restrict this invention to the particular tyipe shown. For illustrative purposes only, have, in the present instance, shown the cock as having. the usual eccentric stem 11 to the outer end of which is secured an operating handle 12 adapted to be rotated when opening and closing the faucet. v i

To the lower eccentric endjof the stem 11 is connected a valve stem 18-having its free end of reduceddi'ameter, and also having faucets or cock-s an integral collar 14 forming an abutment against which the valve seat end of the elastic valve body .is adapted to engage.

The elastic valve body, designated by the numeral 15, comprises a cylindrical member, preferably of rubber, having in its walls re-. cesses or grooves 16 which form therebetween longitudinal ribs 17. In the present embodiment of, my invention the grooves 16 extend longitudinally of the valve body 15 but terminateshort of the valve seat end of the ball, so that the seating surface thereof is not impaired. The elastic valve body is encircled by a ferrule 18 comprising a cylindrical-shaped shell having one end-closed, the length of the ferrule being such that its end wall will engagejagamst the outer end of the elastic valve body and its forward edge will terminate short of the valve seat end of the ball. The body '15 and ferrule 18- are secured on the reduced threaded end of the valve stem 18 by means of a nut 19. The internal diameter of the ferrule is equal to the diameter of the valve body 15, so that the ferrule will snugly engage the ribs 17.

In operation, when the operating handle 12 is turned to shutoff the flow of water, the Fuller ball is brought to its seat and the elastic valve body 15 is placed under compression. The force applied tends to crowd the valve body into the ferrule 18. Due to the spaces 16 the valve body may expand radially throughout substantially its whole length, so that the strains exerted on the ball are distributed. Thus the valve seat end of the elastic valve body is not forced to take care of the entire strain brought against it as is the case where no spaces or recesses between the ferrule and valve body are provided for. The ribs 17 reinforce the ball without interfering with the elasticity thereof, for when the valve body is placed under bompression it will tend to expand radially, and this it may readily do, for the ribs will expand laterally and be slightly flattened out against the ferrule. v

The ferrule 18aids the elastic valve body 15 in retaining its normal shape and its elasticity. It prevents abnormal expansion of the elastic body, and thereby 'protects it against permanent deformation. As the strains exerted on the elastic valve body are distributed throughout its length, the valve said valve member.

seat end of the body is relieved of excess pressure and the seating' surface of the ball does not become mutilated or uneven.

My invention is susceptible of various -modifications and changes Which would be Within the spirit of the invention without departing from the scope of the following claims.

/Vhat I claim is 1. A Fuller ball comprising an elastic valve member having longitudinal recesses in its perimeter to permit radial expansion of said valve member under longitudinal pressure.

2. A Fuller ball comprising an elastic valve member having longitudinal channels or recesses in its perimeter to permit radial expansion of said valve member under longitudinal pressure, and a ferrule encircl ng 3. A Fuller ball comprising an elastic valve member having alternatingribs and channels on its perimeter extending in the.

same general direction as its length to permit radial expansion of said valve member under longitudinal pressure,,and a ferrule encircling said valve member.

l, A Fuller ball comprisin an elastic valve member having alternating ribs and channels on its perimeter to permit radial expansion of said valve member under longitudinal pressure, said channels extending in the .same general direction as the length of the valve member but terminating short of the valve seat end thereof, and a ferrule fitting snugly about the channeled portion of said valve member, the channels forming spaces which permit expansion of the valve member when placed under compression.

In combination, a valve stem having an abutment thereon an elastic valve member on said stem and engaging at its valve seat end against said abutment, said valve member having alternating longitudinal channels and ribs on its perimeter, a ferrule comprising a cylindrical shell encircling said valve member and terminating short or the valve seat end thereof, and means for securing said valve member and ferrule on said stem.

ln testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

rnntrr MUELLER. 

